Avni sipped on her tea, she looked out at the waves that rose and then hit the sand, as if so close to reaching what they wanted but never actually getting there. It felt symbolic, like she was so close to getting what she wanted, but she couldnt get there.
Neil wrapped his arms around her waist making her jump "Beautiful view hm"

"It is, I like the"
Neil turned her around, his eyes running over her face "I wasnt on about that view"
His eyes burnt into hers, making her knees wobble
"Neil I"
Neil rested a finger on her lips "Shh, theres nothing to say, I want to show you something"
Avni put her cup on the table and followed Neil to the car
"Id like to drive today" he said to the driver who nodded and stepped away

Avni sat in the car, twiddling her fingers, Neil rested his hand on hers
"You seem nervous habibi"
Avni offered him a smile "Kind of"
"Whenever I am nervous about something, I always close my eyes and think about someone whos very important to me, and then it just gets easier"
Avni closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, the only thing she could really focus on was her work and the woman who had cared for her
"Better" he queried as she opened her eyes
"Yes, thank you"

Neil eventually pulled over to a building, it was one Avni didnt recognise
She stepped out of the car and looked up
"Why have you brought me here"
Neil smiled "You said you wanted to become a social worker right, well I assume that's more so focused on children, so I brought you here to get some experience with them"
Avni was speechless, it was true social work was once her dream, but she never thought she could make it, now Neil had such immense faith in her in such a short time that it took her breath away

"I dont know what to say"
Neil cupped her cheek "Say youre happy"
"I am" she promised and this time she wasnt lying, all her life she had looked for someone who would believe in her and support her goals, she never expected to find that in the Sheikh. Avni noticed the blood stains on Neil's back from the attack yesterday
Tears filled her eyes once again
"Your back"
Neil wiped away a tear from under her eye "Dont cry for me Avni, I really dont deserve your tears"

"Why" she knew she should have been focusing on why Neil thought he wasnt deserving because maybe it could link to the case but in reality she wanted to know why he felt he wasnt good enough after all the good he had done for her
"Because you shouldn't cry for anyone, plus you dont really know me"
"But you dont know me well and yet you've done all this for me"
"Thats true" he mused "But then I saw how concerned you were for me yesterday and I just knew then, that you were something special"

Avni looked over at a child who ran over to Neil
She wondered how if Neil was so bad, he could be loved so much
She knew something was amiss, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was
A guard stepped forward "Sir I"
Avni's eyes zoned in on the sharp object in his hand
How could she stop this without giving away who she was?
She watched as the object got closer to Neil
"Yes, whats wrong " Neil questioned the guard putting the child down

"I just wanted to tell you that"
Avni pulled Neil to her and pressed her lips to his
As Neil's eyes closed, he pulled Avni closer to him
Avni watched as the guard stepped back
Avni pulled away, clearing her throat
Neil looked stunned for a few seconds before offering Avni a questioning look "What was that about"
"Youre just so good to me, it was a thank you"
Neil smiled "no problem, you know you passed the first stage of love"

"First stage of love" Avni repeated, confused
"There are 14 stages, first is al-hawa, that means attraction"
Avni nodded, she was definitely attracted to Neil, she could feel her ears burning at his intense gaze and looked away
Neil turned back to his guard "So what is it you wanted to say"
The guard smiled sweetly at Avni "Just that your wife should know we dont respect displays of affection so publicly"
Avni's jaw dropped and she rolled her eyes

She gasped at Neil punched the man in the face, the crack making Avni shudder
He grabbed the man's collar "Dont talk about my wife like that again, she can do as she pleases and it would do you good to just look away"
Avni took this time to type out a text to Joseph 'Think theres an attack on the Sheikh, one of his guards was going to stab him'
The reply was almost instant 'Keep him alive, we need to get evidence and then arrest, find out who sent that guard'

'How am I meant to do that'
'You're a woman, use it to your advantage'
Avni many times in the past had to flirt to get her way, always having to act like an innocent girl who needed saving although that was nothing like her.
But now as she looked on at Neil, she couldnt help but feel she would be cheating him if she did
'I will figure out another way, wouldnt want to get caught' she text back and slipped her phone in her pocket

"Neil, lets go home , we can come back another day" Avni suggested
Neil nodded and followed Avni back to the car
"Can I ask you a question"
Neil nodded
"I heard a rumour, that you were making a new um, weapon"
Neil's gaze darkened, his nostrils flaring "Where did you hear that"
Avni was firm in her notion that she had got him figured out
"A few guards were saying it"
Neil shook his head "I dont agree with weapons other than those you make by your own hands, I have never used a weapon in my life, just my hands, do you remember the people who said it"

"Wait, so you have no plans to build a weapon"
Neil shook his head "No, why would I, what kind of war do you think I am going to"
So if Neil wasnt building it then who was? She was sure Neil was being truthful but there was still a chance he was not and she had to be careful
Neil held her hand and kissed it, "I shouldn't really tell you this but"
Avni leant closer "You know you can tell me anything"
"There have been talks about a new weapon, I said I would think about it, so they said they would build a demo"

Avni swore under her breath and then turned to face him again, Neil had a mischevious smirk on his face "It bothers you about the weapon doesnt it"
Avni nodded
"Good, it should, there is no demo, I was testing you, and now I am even more sure, you're the perfect woman for me"
Avni watched as Neil continued driving, with a heavy heart she smiled

"Take a left here, theres something I want to show you"